<p>I will be attending Harvard next year as a freshman and I have a question about winter break (when I should fly back from vacation). Winter break ends on Thursday, Jan. 1 (the last day that there are no classes), which means reading period starts Friday. It seems kind of pointless to come back for just a Friday. Should I fly back to be at Harvard for that Friday or extend my vacation a half week and be back for Monday? Thanks!</p>
<p>What I think about what you said, is that it is Harvard not high school. I personally wouldn't miss it for the world.</p>
<p>No need to come back until Monday unless you have a foreign language class or lab that meets on that Friday.</p>
<p>Technically, all freshmen are required to be "in residence" for reading period. If you have an anal proctor, he/she may check and make sure you're back on Friday (most proctors wouldn't care though).</p>
<p>That said, weekends are sort of irrelevant during reading period (unless you have a class like a foreign language that continues to meet). You end up thinking about things in terms of "I have x days until my first final," and when x is high, you spend a lot of time having fun, and when x is low, you spend a lot of time in the library. Finding the balance can be tricky, especially the first time you go through finals... so it may be nice to give yourself some leeway for studying.</p>
<p>Excellent point - If you are not planning to come back that Friday do let your proctor know and see if it's okay.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replys!</p>
<p>We thought that Harvard had changed things so that reading period and exams are before Christmas. Is this true?</p>
<p>Not till 2009-2010</p>